I don’t like leaders who fear talking about the ills of insecurity and its agents. I am referring to Pokot Members of Parliament who rushed to seek media attention over what they termed provocative and prejudicial speech by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni.
Those who were attentive, noticed that the president meant no harm to the Pokot. If anything, he simply joked: “…on a light note, ambia watu wa West Pokot waache kuiba ng’ombe zangu (tell the people of West Pokot to stop stealing my cattle)’’.
Very many people laughed. The phrase was meant to make people laugh. Little did the president know that some members from the community would use the same to boost their political popularity.
Nothing alters the fact that the Pokot, Sebei and Karamoja communities of Kenya and Uganda have been feuding incessantly over cattle for years.
This culture threatens security and has left these communities in perpetual poverty and abysmal ignorance.
This problem therefore deserves attention from leaders of the region, Museveni included. Tecla Loroupe, through her peace race, has tried in vain to stop the vice.
I think those who are complaining about Museveni’s friendly comments are like the proverbial wayward dog, which runs away at the mere sight of an approaching person. In another words, it is a sign of unnecessary guilt.
Pokot should quote Museveni positively and infer a constructive message from what he said. From what the president said, I saw in him an agent of peace whose ambition is to see pokot and neighbours prosper in a peaceful environment.
{Ngoroko Wilson, Kapenguria}
Historically, the Nandi people of yonder were known to be the deadliest cattle rustlers whose warriors would hit the Luo, Maragoli, Kabras, Bukusu, Sepei, Pokot, Marakwet, and Keiyo at least once a year. The British settlers in Uasin Gishu also suffered the same fate. This practice, however, faded gradually after communal lifestyle changed from pastoralism to mixed farming.
If the Government is serious in taming Pokot belligerency as lightheartedly requested by Museveni, it should trigger change of lifestyle for Pokot and their neighbours on both sides of the border.
David Kemboi, via email
Instead of Pokot MPs chastising Museveni, they should take the remarks as a challenge and put in place mechanisms to address this old-age menace.
{Dominic Pkalya, Nairobi}
The joke by Museveni cracked the ribs of many and similarly rankled leaders of West Pokot. As an elder statesman, he knows that cattle rustling has hindered local development. He spoke the truth painted in a harmless gesture.
We should not read too much in the joke without assimilating the reality of rustling and offering solutions to stem the vice.
Kamichore Mutindira, Nairobi
